Council hears J‑turn plan for Meadow Lane at SR‑195; federal grant covers $1.6M of $2.5M project

City transportation staff presented a design to add a J‑turn configuration at the Meadow Lane access to SR‑195 intended to reduce conflict points and improve safety for the Eagle Ridge area.

Presentation materials described the site as the primary access for about 1,100 homes in the Eagle Ridge development and noted frequent turning movements from a divided, four‑lane highway with a posted 55 mph speed limit. Staff said an ideal long‑term solution is a full interchange but state funding is not currently available; the J‑turn is intended as a safer, lower‑cost interim measure.

"We were able to get a federal grant to put in a J turn intersection, which is a lot safer than the existing, eliminates a lot of conflict points," the presenter said, describing how the design separates turning movements and adds deceleration and acceleration lanes to reduce mid‑road conflicts.

Staff reported the overall project cost at about $2.5 million, with a federal grant providing $1.6 million and the remaining roughly $800,000 to be provided by impact fees. Construction was targeted to occur soon if funding and procurement proceed, and staff said the federal grant required the city to manage schedule and implementation.

No formal council vote was taken at the briefing; staff answered questions about funding sources and confirmed the federal grant and impact fee split in response to a council member who noted the staff report wording. The project was presented as a needed safety investment while the state evaluates funding for a full interchange in the longer term.